January 17, 2013

After 60 years in their old building, the Blanchet House of Hospitality has found a new place to call home.

The old Blanchet House was small, old, falling down, and supporters feared that the program there would not be able to continue. It was time for a change.

The Portland Housing Bureau was proud to invest a $4 million grant for a new building on NW Glisan, and donated the land to build. Supporters of Blanchet House raised $13 million to cover cost for the project.

The new Blanchet House is just across the street from the old building and is more equipped for the services Blanchet offers. The old building required visitors to wait in a line outside for their meal; the new one allows people to be out of the elements and into the warmth inside.

Blanchet House provides meals to anyone who is in need. Blanchet House also provides a home to men who need help getting back on their feet. Residents work 8 hour days, six days a week to prepare meals for Blanchet’s guests.

Even through the change, Blanchet House’s mission remains the same: to feed, clothe, and offer shelter and aid to those in need. As it has for the last 60 years, Blanchet House continues to make a positive difference in our community.

New Blanchet House serving Portland's homeless
Cathy Marshall on KGW.com

January 17, 2013

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" 

In partnership with Hands On Greater Portland, PP&R invites you to help plant native trees and shrubs at the Mitchell Creek Natural Area this Saturday. In an effort to improve the fish habitat in Mitchell Creek, the area has been dubbed a high-priority restoration site. Community volunteers have been incredibly helpful with removing invasive Himalayan blackberry plants; now it's time to re-plant! 

Please wear long pants and long sleeves, sturdy walking shoes, and bring a water bottle. Volunteers will be provided with tools, gloves, water, and granola bars.

Saturday, January 19

9 am to 12 pm

Mitchell Creek Natural Area

Meet at: SE 156th & Clatsop

Volunteers are asked to register before participating. For more information, contact Stewardship Coordinator Susan Hawes at: susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-5937.

Find other opportunities to volunteer this weekend - and year-round - at www.handsonportland.org.

January 18, 2013

Did you know that January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month?

4 million people nationwide suffer from glaucoma- a disease which damages the optic nerve and can destroy eyesight. It is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

Nick was recently diagnosed with glaucoma, and is undergoing treatment to improve his eyesight.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but there are ways to reduce it from furthering the effects on your eyes. Treatment ranges from glaucoma surgery, lasers, eye drops, and other medication - depending on the severity of the situation. Many people don’t even know they have glaucoma until it’s too late for preventative treatment.

Save your sight - have regular eye health exams!

For more information about glaucoma, visit the National Eye Institute online, and contact your local ophthalmologist to make an appointment today.

Commissioner Amanda Fritz proposes sick leave rule targeting all Portland business

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland Japanese Garden turns 50: Rediscover it on its golden anniversary

David Stabler in The Oregonian

Ten-year plan to end homelessness gets regional redux

Street Roots Staff in Street Roots

Oregon film industry keeps rising

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

New Blanchet House serving Portland's homeless

Cathy Marshall on KGW.com

Getting it right in testing for discrimination against Portland renters

The Oregonian Editorial Board in The Oregonian

January 22, 2013

My Story and the City of Portland are looking for 5 community partners to receive free arts programming for “We are Portland.”

“We are Portland” is a mobile portrait studio that gives local youth an opportunity to photograph their families, friends, and neighbors. “We are Portland” empowers youth and builds community through the arts.

Youth will learn new skills through fun workshops and then exercise their artistic abilities by taking free family portraits for their friends and neighbors. The portraits will also be part of a citywide exhibit aimed at broadening the understanding of the city’s demographics and capture a changing Portland.

Interested housing communities should send a letter of interest to My Story, which will take full applications this spring.  For more information, contact Alex Ney at (503) 234-0717 or at alexney@mystoryworkshops.org.

To learn more, visit My Story online, and take a look at this flyer about the project.